Active Aging

OCTOBER 5-11, 2020 | Active Aging Week 7 We all know that smoking damages the lungs, but did you know that smoking can make you more susceptible to complications from illnesses like Covid-19, which is known to attack the lungs? Those who smoke or vape are also at a higher risk for contracting Covid-19 due to frequent hand-to-mouth contact. In Manitoba, almost 1/4 of all homes have high radon levels. Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas. You can't see radon. It may be a problem in your home. Those who smoke and live in a home with high radon levels have a 1 in 3 chance of developing lung cancer. That's why it's important to test your home's radon level, and talk to your healthcare provider or Certified Tobacco Educator for support to help you quit smoking. You can order a radon home testing kit at mb.lung.ca TWO REASONS WHY IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER FOR MANITOBANS TO QUIT SMOKING IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT SMOKING FOR FREE SMOKING CESSATION COUNSELLING CALL (204) 774-5501 It has about 6,500 members, all of whose memberships were frozen when the pandemic hit. For those who didn't feel comfortable coming back just yet — or who went to the lake for the summer — they've been able to maintain their membership at no cost through the summer. As with virtually every other facility out there, the Wellness Institute has online options for a variety of services, including nutrition coaching and even physiotherapy. Participating virtually and getting back into some sort of routine can be particularly critical for older people, she says. "We're concerned with stress and loneliness," she says. "It helps people manage their stress, their weight and their emotional well-being. It can be a snowball effect. If you don't exercise, you might not eat as well. When you're engaging in healthy behaviours, there's a spill-over effect." Members and visitors alike are doing a good job of adhering to the rules, and when they don't, staff members give them the benefit of the doubt and provide polite reminders. "The rules are there for health and safety reasons. It's a challenging time. We're asking people to be patient and respectful. You're always going to get people who might be a bit more challenging. You have to explain it to them calmly. There's a purpose to what we're doing. We can't slack off," she says. "There has never been a more important time to be healthy. The Wellness Institute is here to support the community to be well, whether they choose to visit the facility or access services virtually." ■ "There has never been a more important time to be healthy. The Wellness Institute is here to support the community to be well, whether they choose to visit the facility or access services virtually." – Karin Whalen, director of community services at The Wellness Institute A member uses hand sanitizer prior to admittance. PHOTO BY DARIN KACHANOSKI

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